{"692765":{"#nid":"692765","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech\u0027s Space Research Institute Names Two Associate Directors","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/space.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESpace Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SRI) has appointed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/david-ballantyne\u0022\u003EDavid Ballantyne\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/mariel-borowitz\u0022\u003EMariel Borowitz\u003C\/a\u003E as associate directors, expanding the institute\u0027s leadership team as it continues to strengthen Georgia Tech\u0027s position as a leader in space research, education, and engagement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince its launch in 2025, SRI has brought together researchers from across campus to advance interdisciplinary space initiatives and create new opportunities for collaboration. In their new roles, Ballantyne and Borowitz will help guide the institute\u0027s growth by strengthening both internal research connections and external partnerships across the broader space community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDavid and Mariel bring complementary strengths that will be invaluable as we continue building SRI,\u201d said Jud Ready, executive director of SRI. \u201cDavid has a deep understanding of the research enterprise at Georgia Tech and a passion for connecting people and ideas across disciplines. Mariel brings extensive experience working across government, industry, and the international space community. Together, they will help us strengthen Georgia Tech\u0027s space ecosystem and expand our impact far beyond campus.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EStrengthening Georgia Tech\u0027s Research Community\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince joining the Institute in 2008 as a founding faculty member of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cra.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Relativistic Astrophysics\u003C\/a\u003E, Ballantyne has helped advance both space science and academic leadership across campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA professor in the School of Physics, he studies the evolution of galaxies and their central black holes, as well as the physics of accretion disks around black holes and neutron stars. He has authored more than 140 peer-reviewed publications and served as associate chair of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E for nearly a decade.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs associate director, Ballantyne will focus on cultivating connections across Georgia Tech\u0027s space research community and identifying opportunities for new interdisciplinary collaborations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI view SRI as a catalyst \u2014 a mechanism to spark new and transformative areas of space research at Georgia Tech that will grow to national and international prominence,\u201d Ballantyne said. \u201cThere is so much innovative space research happening across campus, and one of SRI\u0027s most important roles is helping researchers find the connections and collaborations that can spark new ideas and discoveries.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBallantyne says he is particularly interested in helping position Georgia Tech as a leader in understanding the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in space systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy goal is to be out in the community, learning about the breadth of space research happening across campus and identifying ways SRI can accelerate that work,\u201d he said. \u201cAI technologies are poised to transform space exploration, scientific discovery, national security, and commercial space operations. SRI is uniquely positioned to help Georgia Tech lead those conversations.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EBuilding Partnerships Beyond Campus\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs space activities become increasingly interconnected across government, industry, and academia, strong partnerships are essential to translating research into real-world impact. That collaborative spirit is central to the work of Mariel Borowitz, an associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inta.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESam Nunn School of International Affairs\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBorowitz, who also serves as director of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/policy.space.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Space Policy and International Relations\u003C\/a\u003E, is widely recognized for her expertise in space policy, international cooperation, and the governance of emerging space activities. Her work has connected her with space agencies, private companies, and policymakers around the world, providing a valuable perspective on opportunities for Georgia Tech to expand its engagement with the broader space community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn her role as associate director, Borowitz will focus on growing SRI\u0027s partnerships with industry, government, and the broader space community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy focus as associate director will be on building partnerships between Georgia Tech and the broader space community,\u201d Borowitz said. \u201cGeorgia Tech has tremendous expertise across science, engineering, policy, economics, and international affairs. By working across those disciplines, we can help address the complex challenges facing the future of space development while creating new opportunities for collaboration and impact.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBorowitz sees SRI as a powerful mechanism for connecting Georgia Tech\u0027s diverse strengths and amplifying their collective impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cReal-world challenges and opportunities are inherently interdisciplinary,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Space Research Institute allows us to bring together expertise from across Georgia Tech to develop more complete solutions and create new possibilities for the future of space.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ELooking Ahead\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether, Ballantyne and Borowitz will help advance SRI\u0027s mission of connecting researchers, educators, students, industry leaders, and policymakers to address the most pressing opportunities and challenges in space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSpace exploration has always challenged us to think bigger, work across boundaries, and pursue questions that no single discipline can answer alone,\u201d said Ready, who also serves as a principal research engineer at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gtri.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cDavid and Mariel embody that spirit of collaboration, and their leadership will help us create new opportunities for discovery, innovation, and impact at Georgia Tech and beyond.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDavid Ballantyne and Mariel Borowitz join SRI\u0027s leadership team to strengthen interdisciplinary research, expand strategic partnerships, and advance Georgia Tech\u0027s growing space enterprise.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"David Ballantyne and Mariel Borowitz join SRI\u0027s leadership team to strengthen interdisciplinary research, expand strategic partnerships, and advance Georgia Tech\u0027s growing space enterprise."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2026-09-22 18:34:05","changed_gmt":"2026-09-22 18:38:11","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-09-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-09-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681223":{"id":"681223","type":"image","title":"Ballantyne-Borowitz.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDavid Ballantyne, professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Physics, and Mariel Borowitz, associate professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, have been appointed associate directors of the Space Research Institute (SRI).\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1790102080","gmt_created":"2026-09-22 18:34:40","changed":"1790102080","gmt_changed":"2026-09-22 18:34:40","alt":"Side-by-side headshots of two people. On the left, a person with short brown hair, glasses, and a trimmed beard wears a blue collared shirt against a white textured background. On the right, a person with long brown hair wears a yellow patterned top against a softly blurred gray background.","file":{"fid":"265590","name":"Ballantyne-Borowitz.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/22\/Ballantyne-Borowitz.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/22\/Ballantyne-Borowitz.png","mime":"image\/png","size":4649838,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/22\/Ballantyne-Borowitz.png?itok=YPudirdl"}}},"media_ids":["681223"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.space.gatech.edu","title":"Learn More About the Space Research Institute"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"660370","name":"Space"}],"categories":[{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Manager, Space Research Institute\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692461":{"#nid":"692461","#data":{"type":"news","title":"College of Sciences Announces 2026 Distinguished Alumni Honorees","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe College of Sciences has named eight alumni as recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards, recognizing those who have made a lasting impact in their professions, communities, and the world.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis year\u2019s honorees are incredible trailblazers who\u0026nbsp;have built remarkable careers, demonstrated exceptional leadership, and continue to inspire those who follow in their footsteps,\u201d says\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/dean-susan-lozier\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E Susan Lozier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u003C\/strong\u003E dean and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair of the College of Sciences and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. \u201cIt is a privilege to recognize these extraordinary individuals and celebrate the many ways they reflect the strength and spirit of the College of Sciences.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHonorees will be recognized at the second annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5:30 \u2013 8:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ERecognition categories include the Distinguished Alumni Awards, honoring one graduate from each school; the Distinguished Young Scientist Award, recognizing early-career excellence; and the College of Sciences Impact Award, honoring transformative contributions to the College\u2019s mission and future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe large response to our call for nominations was a powerful reminder of how deeply our alumni contribute to their fields and communities,\u201d says Director of Alumni Relations\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELeslie Roberts\u003C\/strong\u003E. \u201cWe are excited to recognize this year\u2019s amazing honorees and celebrate the lasting influence they have had both within and beyond Georgia Tech.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2026 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/tia-williams\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETia Williams\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EB.S. Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 1996\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/fred-levin\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFred Levin, M.D.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EB.S. Applied Biology 1972\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/belma-erdogan-haug\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBelma Erdogan-Haug, Ph.D.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPh.D. Chemistry 2003\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Mathematics\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/clemmie-whatley\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClemmie Whatley, Ph.D.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EM.S. Applied Mathematics 1973\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/gil-amelio\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGilbert (Gil) Amelio, Ph.D.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EB.S. Physics 1965, M.S. Physics 1967, Ph.D. Physics 1969\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Psychological and Brain Sciences\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/tara-stoinski\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETara Stoinski, Ph.D.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPh.D. Psychology 2000\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDistinguished Young Scientist Award Recipient\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/austin-hope\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAustin Hope\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EB.S. Psychology 2014\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollege of Sciences Impact Award Recipient\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/jeffrey-leddy\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJeffrey Leddy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EB.S. Physics 1978\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECongratulations to the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award winners.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Congratulations to the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award winners."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2026-09-09 15:13:49","changed_gmt":"2026-09-09 16:14:18","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-09-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-09-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681105":{"id":"681105","type":"image","title":"2026 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees","body":"\u003Cp\u003E2026 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees - top row: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/gil-amelio\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGilbert (Gil) Amelio, Ph.D.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/belma-erdogan-haug\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBelma Erdogan-Haug, Ph.D.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E; second row: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/fred-levin\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFred Levin, M.D.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E, \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/tara-stoinski\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETara Stoinski, Ph.D.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E, and \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/clemmie-whatley\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClemmie Whatley, Ph.D.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E; third row: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/tia-williams\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETia Williams\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E, \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/austin-hope\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAustin Hope\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E, and \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/alumni\/jeffrey-leddy\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJeffrey Leddy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1788966912","gmt_created":"2026-09-09 15:15:12","changed":"1788968502","gmt_changed":"2026-09-09 15:41:42","alt":"8 individual headshots","file":{"fid":"265460","name":"2026-DA.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/09\/2026-DA.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/09\/2026-DA.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1507009,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/09\/2026-DA.png?itok=b6lXRHd_"}}},"media_ids":["681105"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/news\/progress-and-service-action-honoring-college-sciences-distinguished-alumni","title":"Progress and Service in Action: Honoring College of Sciences\u2019 Distinguished Alumni"},{"url":"https:\/\/sciences.gatech.edu\/2026-distinguished-alumni-awards-ceremony","title":"2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"},{"id":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"}],"keywords":[{"id":"506","name":"alumni"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELaura S. Smith, writer\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692032":{"#nid":"692032","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Open Source, Big Ideas: Scientific Computing Community Heading to Georgia Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBefore building a fusion reactor, designing a new aircraft, or forecasting tsunamis, scientists and engineers test their ideas using computer simulations. The people who create and use the software that powers these simulations are meeting in Atlanta this fall to share best practices and improve their tools.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is hosting the 2026 MFEM (Modular Finite Element Methods) Community Workshop, Sept. 22-25. MFEM supports research in computational physics, earth systems modeling, engineering, energy, and other fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe four-day\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mfem.org\/workshop\/\u0022\u003Eworkshop\u003C\/a\u003E is being held at the\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech Global Learning Center and will focus on improving software for scientific computing and discovery. Participants can also attend online. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSc95PhC-tyb2V63iEtp7Dto6P8odbePLJl7Ok26cffsGegNtg\/viewform\u0022\u003ERegistration\u003C\/a\u003E for the workshop is open through Sept. 11.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u0027re very excited and grateful for the opportunity to have this workshop at Georgia Tech,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.llnl.gov\/kolev1\u0022\u003ETzanio Kolev\u003C\/a\u003E, a computational mathematician at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech has a great reputation in our field, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/computing.llnl.gov\/about\/newsroom\/mfem-workshop-2025\u0022\u003Ehosting at universities\u003C\/a\u003E is a great way to connect with students. We see students as our future colleagues who will improve MFEM for generations to come.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMFEM is an open-source software library for solving equations in computational models. Scientists and engineers use it to build and test virtual designs on some of the world\u2019s most powerful supercomputers before creating real-world prototypes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn fact, MFEM powered a tsunami early-warning model that ran on\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.llnl.gov\/news\/highlights\/el-capitan-high-performance-computing\u0022\u003EEl Capitan\u003C\/a\u003E, the world\u2019s second-fastest supercomputer. The framework completed a simulation in a fraction of a second, 10 billion times faster than conventional algorithms. Kolev was part of the team that won the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.llnl.gov\/article\/53636\/llnl-ut-ucsd-win-gordon-bell-prize-exascale-tsunami-forecasting\u0022\u003E2025 Gordon Bell Prize\u003C\/a\u003E for the project.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMFEM\u2019s impact extends beyond its original developers. The AWS Center for Quantum Computing uses the software as the foundation for a tool called\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aws.amazon.com\/blogs\/quantum-computing\/aws-releases-open-source-software-palace-for-cloud-based-electromagnetics-simulations-of-quantum-computing-hardware\/\u0022\u003EPalace\u003C\/a\u003E. This project runs 3D electromagnetic simulations to aid in the design of quantum computing hardware.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese workshops have been very beneficial for both the broader user community and also for MFEM developers,\u201d said Kolev.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEvery workshop, we are surprised by the ways people are building on our work, seeing what incredible, interesting, amazing things they do with it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext month\u2019s workshop at Georgia Tech will connect MFEM users and developers from national laboratories, academia, government, and industry.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority joins LLNL and Georgia Tech in sponsoring this year\u2019s workshop. Nearly 20 scientists from Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories are attending in person. They represent LLNL, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, and the Naval Nuclear Laboratory.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe workshop\u2019s first day features a free, hybrid tutorial.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hpcic.llnl.gov\/\u0022\u003ELLNL\u2019s High Performance Computing Innovation Center\u003C\/a\u003E will lead the tutorial, helping new users get started with MFEM and learn what the software can do. The tutorial\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/llnlfed.webex.com\/webappng\/sites\/llnlfed\/meeting\/register\/8ebcc46f456b4ad18d9a52681e65dbc4?ticket=4832534b00000007c5b494f01c941f17a12a8cd43c82453c4f35f60a3648a272a8d8a99672c47aa6\u0026amp;timestamp=1787231662277\u0026amp;RGID=rb48e17ed4f10072dffdae65cdeffe44f\u0026amp;isAutoPopRegisterForm=false\u0022\u003Erequires separate registration\u003C\/a\u003E for virtual participants.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe workshop will also host a simulation and visualization contest. Participants can submit images and videos of simulations using MFEM, which will be posted in a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mfem.org\/gallery\/\u0022\u003Egallery\u003C\/a\u003E. The workshop organizers will select an overall winner.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFurther workshop activities include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ee31916319061709fa9a28fec836fd3bf\u0022\u003EMFEM news and roadmap for future projects\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022edce38a0a18d98d1d7fa524b78a89e1f8\u0022\u003ETalks from application developers\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ed8c28becfd96baa3239b50eb0c1330d7\u0022\u003EStudent-user lightning talks\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e11e59f4f20a8a56dee6c6eafabc7390e\u0022\u003EIn-person poster sessions\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e43fcdf35c0105418070457776f42b786\u0022\u003EOffice hours with MFEM experts\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe MFEM workshop highlights the role open-source software plays in scientific discovery.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy making tools freely available, researchers can build on each other\u2019s work rather than starting from scratch. This shared approach can accelerate innovation, improve software, and make advanced computing tools accessible to a wider community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech hosts a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ssecenter.cc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Scientific Software Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ospo.cc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EOpen-Source Program Office\u003C\/a\u003E. This year\u2019s workshop connects these units with the MFEM community to help put the software into the hands of more researchers across science and engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe MFEM workshop aims to foster collaboration among all MFEM users and developers,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tangqi.github.io\/\u0022\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, a workshop organizer and assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHosting its annual community workshop brings researchers from DOE laboratories, universities, and industry to campus, giving Georgia Tech faculty and students direct access to experts from the field.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBefore building a fusion reactor, designing a new aircraft, or forecasting tsunamis, scientists and engineers test their ideas using computer simulations. The people who create and use the software that powers these simulations are meeting in Atlanta this fall to share best practices and improve their tools.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is hosting the 2026 MFEM (Modular Finite Element Methods) Community Workshop, Sept. 22-25. MFEM supports research in computational physics, earth systems modeling, engineering, energy, and other fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe four-day\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mfem.org\/workshop\/\u0022\u003Eworkshop\u003C\/a\u003E is being held at the\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech Global Learning Center and will focus on improving software for scientific computing and discovery. Participants can also attend online. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSc95PhC-tyb2V63iEtp7Dto6P8odbePLJl7Ok26cffsGegNtg\/viewform\u0022\u003ERegistration\u003C\/a\u003E for the workshop is open through Sept. 11.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is hosting the 2026 MFEM (Modular Finite Element Methods) Community Workshop, Sept. 22-25. MFEM supports research in computational physics, earth systems modeling, engineering, energy, and other fields. "}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-08-26 13:00:40","changed_gmt":"2026-09-02 19:07:14","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680984":{"id":"680984","type":"image","title":"Story-Head-Image.jpg","body":null,"created":"1787749313","gmt_created":"2026-08-26 13:01:53","changed":"1787749313","gmt_changed":"2026-08-26 13:01:53","alt":"MFEM Workshop at Georgia Tech","file":{"fid":"265328","name":"Story-Head-Image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/26\/Story-Head-Image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/26\/Story-Head-Image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":241530,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/26\/Story-Head-Image.jpg?itok=cz6fGC8C"}},"680985":{"id":"680985","type":"image","title":"mfem-workshop-2025-comp-news-01-alt.png","body":null,"created":"1787749441","gmt_created":"2026-08-26 13:04:01","changed":"1787749441","gmt_changed":"2026-08-26 13:04:01","alt":"2025 MFEM Workshop Portland State University","file":{"fid":"265329","name":"mfem-workshop-2025-comp-news-01-alt.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/26\/mfem-workshop-2025-comp-news-01-alt.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/26\/mfem-workshop-2025-comp-news-01-alt.png","mime":"image\/png","size":222605,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/26\/mfem-workshop-2025-comp-news-01-alt.png?itok=oLizx4_t"}},"680989":{"id":"680989","type":"image","title":"vis-contest-2026.png","body":null,"created":"1787767921","gmt_created":"2026-08-26 18:12:01","changed":"1787767921","gmt_changed":"2026-08-26 18:12:01","alt":"MFEM Workshop at Georgia Tech","file":{"fid":"265334","name":"vis-contest-2026.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/26\/vis-contest-2026.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/26\/vis-contest-2026.png","mime":"image\/png","size":204354,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/26\/vis-contest-2026.png?itok=39jfgujB"}},"680990":{"id":"680990","type":"image","title":"DSC00310-small.png","body":null,"created":"1787767942","gmt_created":"2026-08-26 18:12:22","changed":"1787767942","gmt_changed":"2026-08-26 18:12:22","alt":"MFEM Workshop at Georgia Tech","file":{"fid":"265335","name":"DSC00310-small.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/26\/DSC00310-small.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/26\/DSC00310-small.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1726005,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/26\/DSC00310-small.png?itok=TvNOuMK-"}}},"media_ids":["680984","680985","680989","680990"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"},{"id":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"170447","name":"Institute for Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"194384","name":"Tech AI"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692127":{"#nid":"692127","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tiny Motors, Big Structures: Kolvin Awarded NSF CAREER Grant for Soft Materials Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOur bodies build remarkably complex structures from tiny protein fibers, forming tissues, tendons, muscles, and organs. Scientists can recreate many of these biological building blocks in the lab, but controlling how they organize themselves into larger assemblies remains one of the most fundamental challenges in soft materials research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/itamar-kolvin\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EItamar Kolvin\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is aiming to solve that problem using molecular motors powered by tiny chemical reactions, giving researchers a new way to guide how fibers assemble into larger structures in the lab. The work could open the door to advances in wound healing, artificial tissues, and organ repair.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ENow, Kolvin, an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E, has been\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/show-award?AWD_ID=2541531\u0022\u003Eawarded a $747,000 CAREER grant\u003C\/a\u003E from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support this research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program is a five-year grant designed to help promising researchers establish a foundation for a lifetime of leadership in their field. Known as CAREER awards, the grants are NSF\u2019s most prestigious funding for early-career faculty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe CAREER award is a crucial opportunity to push this research forward,\u201d says Kolvin. \u201cNSF plays a critical role in advancing science, and we wouldn\u2019t be able to do our work without their support.\u0026nbsp;I\u2019m incredibly grateful for their commitment to advancing science.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMicroscopic Motorboats\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile the body naturally assembles these fibers, their small size makes protein filaments difficult to control in a lab setting. Without guidance, the materials grow randomly, creating weak and disorganized structures. But Kolvin has found that exposing the filaments to controlled fluid flows can help them grow in predictable ways.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s where Kolvin\u2019s molecular motors come in. He attaches the motors to rod-shaped particles called microtubules, transforming the otherwise inert particles into microscopic motorboats. Powered by chemical reactions, the microtubules move through the fluid and generate tiny currents. Those currents guide the suspended protein filaments, directing how they align and assemble.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELike sticks in a stream, the current helps the protein filaments align with the flow around them. When millions of filaments interact in this way, they can form bundles, clusters, and large-scale networks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cHow do these rods align, when do they tangle, and when do they form networks?\u201d Kolvin asks. \u201cI\u2019m interested in learning how we may be able to predict and ultimately control that behavior in order to direct the ways these structures can grow.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFlexible Filaments\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKolvin\u2019s earlier work has already shown success with actin, the filaments responsible for building muscles. When suspended in fluid, the molecular motors helped actin fibers bundle together and form a membrane-like structure.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile that work demonstrated that molecular motors could influence assembly, Kolvin now aims to create a more dynamic, tunable system. Actin is limited, he explains, because of its simple rod-like shape, lack of rigidity, and because its bonds become permanent once the fibers bundle together.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHe believes the more rigid, helix-shaped flagella in this new work will offer a wider range of opportunities. \u201cThe shape and rigidity of flagella expand the variety of patterns they can form,\u201d he explains. \u201cThese new structures could have different applications.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EToward Tunable Materials\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThrough molecular engineering, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/ikolvinlab\/\u0022\u003EKolvin Lab\u003C\/a\u003E creates flagella that are temperature-sensitive, meaning that they can make and unmake bonds at different temperatures. This property might be key in creating a system that could be assembled and disassembled on demand.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis could make it possible to tune materials in real-time by warming or cooling the system,\u0022 Kolvin explains.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBy combining molecular motors with temperature-sensitive protein fibers, Kolvin aims to create systems that can be predictably shaped, assembled, and disassembled on demand, opening the door to new possibilities for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe work could also help answer long-standing problems in physics about active matter and collective behavior, revealing how flow and shape influence the way millions of microscopic building blocks align, pack, and assemble into complex materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis CAREER award provides an exciting opportunity to pursue new ideas and tackle difficult, far-reaching questions,\u201d Kolvin says. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing where this research leads in the years ahead.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EThe grant will support Kolvin\u2019s research using molecular motors powered by chemical reactions to direct how protein fibers assemble into larger structures in the lab. The work could open the door to advances in wound healing, artificial tissues, and organ repair.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The work could open the door to advances in wound healing, artificial tissues, and organ repair."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-08-31 16:26:21","changed_gmt":"2026-08-31 19:06:53","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-31T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-31T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679224":{"id":"679224","type":"image","title":"Itamar Kolvin","body":"\u003Cp\u003EItamar Kolvin\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770657296","gmt_created":"2026-02-09 17:14:56","changed":"1770657296","gmt_changed":"2026-02-09 17:14:56","alt":"Itamar Kolvin","file":{"fid":"263357","name":"Itamar-Kolvin.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/09\/Itamar-Kolvin_0.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/09\/Itamar-Kolvin_0.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":154592,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/09\/Itamar-Kolvin_0.jpeg?itok=e0T6C0ih"}}},"media_ids":["679224"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EWriter \/ Editor\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech College of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}